News Release

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Man Attempts Sexual Assault of School Girl NR11523rf

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department Newton Area detectives are looking for a man who aggressively approached a young girl at a school in what appeared to be a failed sexual assault.

On November 4, 2011, about 1:15 p.m., a 12-year-old Hispanic girl attending school at George Washington Carver Middle School in the 4400 block of McKinley Avenue was waiting for a classmate outside of a restroom when a man approached her from behind. After grabbing her arm, he forcefully pulled her while making a sexual remark. Screaming for help, the girl fell down. The suspect then dragged her about 15 feet before her classmate finally emerged from the restroom and came to her aid. Two additional male students joined the struggle and demanded the suspect release the girl.

Eventually, one of the students ran to call the principal. At that point, the man released the girl and scurried to the southeast corner of the school property where he climbed a trash can to jump over a fence onto Wadsworth Avenue just south of Vernon Avenue.

The suspect has been described as a Hispanic male with brown eyes and black hair. He is between 5 feet 9 inches and 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighs 180 to 190 pounds and is 30 to 40 years old. The suspect also had medium skin tone and two cut lines or scars on his left eyebrow.

Anyone with additional information about the incident or the suspect is urged to contact LAPD Newton Division Officer Cervantes at 323-846-6576. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) using a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters can also go to www.LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.